Collins, 38, of Kew, south-west London, had denied causing fear of violence to Ms Larke, a video games public relations worker, also 38, but was found guilty by 10 of the 11-strong jury after a judge allowed a majority to agree on an outcome.

The jury had deliberated for three days before returning with their verdict this afternoon, following a long and arduous trial in which salacious details about the former lovers’ relationship emerged.

During their affair, which began when Collins was still married to ex-wife Karen Collins who appeared as a character witness during the trial, Collins was said to have forced Ms Larke to sleep facing him.

The court heard how Collins also forced her to throw away all DVDs that featured any male actors she found attractive, and in one of a number of angry exchanges between the pair he was said to have pushed her in front of a car.

Collins’s defence team labelled Ms Larke, ‘troubled’ and a compulsive liar. Her previous problems with alcohol were also referenced.

The former Friday Night Project host did not show any emotion as the verdict was announced, with Judge John Plumstead sentencing Collins to carry out 140 hours unpaid work within the next 18 months.

He was also ordered to pay £3,500 in prosecution costs.

Justin Lee Collins had denied the allegations, saying his ex-girlfriend was a ‘compulsive liar’ (Picture: PA)

Baljit Ubhey, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said after the verdict: ‘There was clear evidence in this case that the defendant had subjected the complainant to physical, psychological and verbal abuse during the course of their relationship.

‘A unique feature of this case is the presence of voice recordings of some of the abuse, which supported the allegation.

The jury’s guilty verdict after a two-week trial at St Albans Crown Court confirms that victims of domestic abuse have a voice and it will be heard.’

Ms Larke’s family said they were ‘ecstatic’ at the verdict, adding that they were ‘relieved’ that the jury ‘were able to see through the lies of an abuser’.

‘We will not rest on our laurels in the wake of this good news and intend to go out into the world and use this experience to empower women to stand up to domestic abuse,’ they said in a statement.

Revealing they were ‘overwhelmed’ by messages of support, Ms Larke’s family also announced their intention to campaign for emotional abuse to be ‘properly recognised’ in law and ‘to end the much reported culture of celebrities using their positions to abuse people without fear of reprisal.’

Collins, currently starring in West End musical Rock Of Ages, declined to talk to waiting reporters as he left the court.

However, he later said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ by the verdict and that he would be considering his position with his lawyers.

Meanwhile detective inspector Justine Jenkins, who led the investigation, said she hoped the ‘outcome serves as a warning to anyone who thinks it is OK to treat another person in this manner.

‘The victim was extremely brave in coming forward to report the offences inflicted upon her. I would urge anyone who is or has been in a similar situation to get in contact with police as soon as possible.

‘I can reassure you that you will be taken seriously and treated with sensitivity.’